Vinícius Júnior Racism Allegation: UEFA Investigates Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni

The alleged racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during their Champions League playoff first leg match on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, has sparked widespread condemnation and a formal investigation by UEFA.

Incident Details

The incident occurred after Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute. Even as celebrating, he was confronted by Prestianni, who appeared to cover his mouth with his jersey while speaking to the Brazilian player ESPN. Vinícius Júnior immediately complained to referee François Letexier, alleging racial abuse.

Accusations and Denials

Vinícius Júnior publicly accused Prestianni of racism, stating on Instagram, “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show how weak they are.” ESPN. Prestianni vehemently denied the allegations, claiming Vinícius Júnior misinterpreted his words and stating he has “never been racist towards anyone.” ESPN and AP News.

UEFA Investigation

UEFA has appointed a special investigator to gather evidence and determine the facts of the case. ESPN. If found guilty of racial abuse, Prestianni could face a 10-match ban under UEFA’s disciplinary code. ESPN. Real Madrid has submitted evidence to UEFA regarding the incident CBS Sports.

Match Interruption and Reactions

The match at Estádio da Luz was temporarily paused while Vinícius Júnior spoke with coach Álvaro Arbeloa, Benfica’s José Mourinho, and teammates. ESPN. Real Madrid was prepared to leave the field if Vinícius Júnior desired, but the team ultimately decided to continue playing. ESPN. Kylian Mbappé was among those who condemned Prestianni’s behavior. ESPN.

Broader Context

This incident is the latest in a series of racially motivated incidents targeting Vinícius Júnior, highlighting the ongoing issue of racism in football. The Novel York Times. The second leg of the Champions League playoff is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu.